There’s a special feeling when we can be a part of something far bigger than we could ever accomplish alone. This is my overwhelming feeling of having participated in Youth Services System and NAMI Greater Wheeling’s “This is My Brave Show,” which was held last night at the historic Capitol Theatre in Wheeling.

Photo: The Experience Church Worship Team & Audience

If you aren’t familiar with “This is My Brave” let me shed some light on it for you. It’s a national non-profit organization co-founded by the amazing Jennifer Marshall. The purpose of the show is to allow those who live with mental health conditions (mental illness & substance use disorders) to share their stories through creative expression-poetry, original music, essay. The intent is to impact the stigma of mental illness through story telling.

The sixteen cast members in our show inspired the audience and made a lasting impression on all those who attended. Those who shared struggle with and persevere daily through challenges related to depression, anxiety, panic attacks, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, binge eating disorder, suicide attempts and alcoholism. Our show had an added bonus with the Experience Church Worship Team (aka-the band), kicking off the show with their inspiring and impactful musical talents.

The audience feedback has been nothing but positive.

Many people have said the IQ on that stage was beyond impressive. Translation – people with mental illness can be smart. Multiple people said, “it was fascinating to see the broad range of socio-economic levels and diversity of those impacted by mental illness. Translation – mental illness does not discriminate. One gentleman said, “I’m not affected by mental illness and I never realized what people go through. This show helped me understand what others deal with. I’m so grateful to be here tonight.”

And…the overwhelming comment by numerous people, “This show is inspiring.”

This morning I received this amazing quote from one of our cast members, Mr. Bill Hogan. Bill writes,

“I have been involved in a bunch of stuff in my almost 90 years but never have I been so “electrified” by a group or an event as I was last night. I love the word mystery and last night the wonder of it all, that unidentifiable power that charged the people on the stage as a group and as individuals was wonderful and gave everyone in that theater, on stage and off , a sense of joyful peace. Everything was lined up the way it is supposed to be.I am thinking of a quote by W.B. Yeats “ Go forth teller of tales. And seize whatever prey your heart desires. Have no fear. Everything exists. And everything isTrue. And the earth is but dust under our feet.” I am truly blessed to have been fortunate enough to have been part of a great happening.”

And that my friends sums up my feelings of being a part of something greater than myself. Being part of a movement to shed light on mental illness, one person and one story at a time. As Jennifer Marshall says, “Storytelling saves lives!” Indeed it does.

Photo: Jennifer Marshall speaking to the cast of “This is My Brave” Wheeling, West Virginia